After owning Chincoteague Ponies, Colleen and Dallas fell even more in love with this hardy breed known for their trainable dispositions. They have big plans for their ponies, from starting them under saddle when they are old enough to launching a breeding program right here in Arkansas!

One of their most exciting goals is a literacy project centered around these ponies. Inspired by the Rose of Sharon Ranch’s involvement with the Black Stallion Literacy Project in the early 2000s, Colleen envisioned creating a similar local program focused on Chincoteague Ponies.

Starting in 2025, Colleen and Dallas, along with the owners of The Roundup magazine, are launching a non-profit literacy initiative called the “Reading Roundup Literacy Project.” This program will raise funds to purchase copies of Misty of Chincoteague, which will be distributed by their team—and a very special pony—to 5th graders at local schools in the fall.

In the spring, these schools will be invited to a field trip at Rose of Sharon Ranch, where students will enjoy hands-on experiences with horses and learn the basics of horse care, all while participating in literacy-focused activities throughout the day.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED